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Plane carrying Salinger team lands hard in Colorado

By The Associated Press

Posted:
09/02/2013 09:46:45 AM MDT

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. (AP)

TELLURIDE, Colo. (AP) — A plane carrying 12 people, including team members of a project about famed author J.D. Salinger, landed hard at Telluride airport after its landing gear collapsed, but officials said no one was injured.

The twin-engine Beechcraft 1900 skidded to a stop just after 1 p.m. Sunday and sustained damage to the left engine propellers and wing, the San Miguel County Sheriff's Office said.

Members of the team behind an upcoming book and documentary on the writer were among the 10 passengers and two crew members aboard, according to "Salinger" author Shane Salerno. But it was not clear exactly how many people connected to the project were on board.

"I am extremely grateful that everyone is okay," Salerno, who was not on board, told The Associated Press in an email.

Before the plane landed, firefighters arrived at the scene to await its arrival after receiving advance notice that a light on the aircraft had shown its landing gear was not locked down.

There was no fire or smoke after the hard landing, but authorities said the aircraft suffered damage to the left engine propellers and the left wing.

FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer said the aircraft was arriving from Denver when the left main landing gear collapsed.

The Los Angeles Times reported the team traveled to Colorado on Sunday to promote the Salinger documentary at the Telluride Film Festival.

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The book about the author of the acclaimed novel "The Catcher In the Rye" is scheduled to be published this week and the film will air on PBS in January.

Sgt. Michael Westcott of San Miguel County said deputies gave the passengers a ride to the terminal building, where they retrieved their luggage and left the airport.

The National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the incident.

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